MXene‐Enhanced Metal–Organic Framework‐Derived CoP Nanocomposites as Highly Efficient Trifunctional Electrocatalysts for OER, HER, and ORR
Komal Farooq, Zhuxian Yang, Maida Murtaza, Muhammad Ahsan Naseeb, Amir Waseem, Yanqiu Zhu, Yongde Xia
Abstract
Developing robust active electrocatalysts from readily available earth‐abundant elements for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains an unresolved challenge. Herein, Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene‐containing metal–organic framework‐derived CoP nanocomposite electrocatalysts are successfully prepared by phosphidation of in situ‐produced ZIF‐67/MXene composite precursor at various heat treatment temperatures. The obtained nanocomposite catalysts are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission‐scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy/EDS. In the produced composites, Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene functions as a supportive substrate to facilitate mass transfer, as well as ion transport, and to improve electrical conductivity. Moreover, the introduction of MXene into the heterostructured CoP@C/Ti 3 C 2 T x enables it to expose and provide extra active sites for electrochemical reactions. The as‐prepared CoP@C/MXene‐360 (abbreviated as CPMX‐360) nanocomposite is a promising trifunctional electrocatalyst toward OER, HER, and ORR. CPMX‐360 exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity with an overpotential of 235 mV at 10 mA cm −2 in OER, an overpotential of 220 mV at −10 mA cm −2 in HER, and an E onset and E 1/2 of 0.82 and 0.74 V in ORR, respectively. This research provides a viable method to develop nonprecious trifunctional electrocatalyst via phosphidation of metal–organic framework and MXene with excellent performance for OER, HER, and ORR.